Monday, September 22, 2008

1st Game!

As the official scorebook keeper for our team, I have to watch every single play, every single player, both teams. It's a tough job, sure, but I never miss anything!

Tonight we played the Angels. We won 14-3 in the 5th inning. Here's the play-by-play:

Jeremy is the 6th batter in a line up of 14 players. A big improvement from last spring!

His first at bat he had a tired pitcher and got walked. But then he slid into second base on the next pitch! Way to go little man! On the next batter he stole third. And on the next wild pitch he stole home with another beautiful slide :D We were all cheezing.

His 2nd at bat he got a fresher pitcher and on his second pitch he hit a screaming ball right down the 3rd base line, way out to the field. He ran a triple! He was the only batter to get a triple this game. It was awesome :D When I caught his eye while he was on third he gave me a great big grin. I was grinning too :D

The next batter Jeremy tried a couple times to steal home on wild pitches but didn't quite make it. Then the batter he got a really wild pitch and Jeremy made a run for it. The catcher got the ball back in the nick of time and started to run Jeremy back. About half way back to the base the catcher throws the ball to the baseman, but the baseman lets it get past him, so Jeremy doubles back and steals home for a second time! Whoo! Can you just imagine all the screaming moms in the stands? It was an amazing play and I wish I'd had a camera. But being the scorekeeper I knew I wouldn't have an opportunity to take any pictures. I tried to get Kylie to take some but she didn't want to - mostly because it was sprinkling the whole game. (which makes keeping the book dry a little difficult)

On defense Jeremy started the game in center right and right field, mostly to back up some of our newest players. In the third inning they put him in as backup to second base. He was totally into the game. In the fourth inning the other team had a wild pitch and the first base runner stole second. Our catcher made the throw, but it bounced out of the 2nd baseman's glove. Jeremy was right there covering him and saved the play. :D

Another highlight of the game was Joshua. Joshua is autistic. Chad has been working closely with him to help him stay focused. And the coach walks Joshua to the plate and sets him up to bat. Tonight at Joshua's first at-bat he took a couple swings and then he hit the ball! He sent it out towards left and he managed to beat the throw to first! Everyone was jumping and cheering him on - it was wonderful. The next batter came up and then Joshua remembered to steal! When the next batter came up they hit a nice long flyball out to left field which gave Joshua the opportunity to make it all the way home. It was close, but he beat the throw to the catcher and scored his first run! The whole team cheered him on, as well as the coaches. Most of us parents in the stands were teary-eyed.

I know this is just the first game, but it was a really great game. I wish I could have video taped it to watch again and share with everyone. Such a great game.

So when we got home I had Jeremy pose for a couple shots so you could see the mess he made of his uniform sliding into home.